“Now,” Aengus said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, yet still filled with authority, “Swear your loyalty to me, and vow that you will never betray me. Those who prove themselves will be rewarded. Those who betrays me, they will be executed immediately.”
His words sent a chill down their spines, and they trembled with fear. His intimidation Haki began to influence their mind to follow his command —like as if it was the law.
“””My Lord, we swear, You’re the only lord and the god to us. We will never betray you.”””
One by one, the demons knelt before him, pledging their loyalty. Aengus watched them, a dark smile playing on his lips. He knew it would take time to mold them into the force he needed, but he was confident in his ability to do so.
This was just the beginning, and with each step he took, his power would grow.
…..
As everyone else left the room to attend to their respective duties, only Aengus and his butler—Yu Elvedaro, a fish-scale humanoid demon—remained.
“So, your name is Butler Yu, correct?” Aengus inquired, his gaze steady as he addressed the butler.
Butler Yu bowed slightly, placing his right hand on his chest in a gesture of respect.
“Yes, my lord,” Yu Elvedaro replied, his voice carrying a mixture of awe and caution. He met his new lord’s calm and indifferent gaze with a sense of reverence. Despite Aengus’s youthful appearance, Yu had witnessed a powerful presence that suggested there might be new hope on the horizon if he served this half-breed with unwavering loyalty.
“Do you need anything, my lord?” Yu asked, his tone more respectful and enthusiastic now, eager to attend to any needs Aengus might have.
Aengus studied Butler Yu with a scrutinizing gaze. The fish scale demon was a striking figure, his scales shimmering subtly in the light. Though his appearance was less imposing compared to some of the other demons, his demeanor suggested both dedication and a sharp mind. The respect Yu showed was evident, but Aengus could sense a flicker of hope in his eyes—a potential ally or a useful asset if handled correctly.
“Yes, Butler Yu,” Aengus said, his tone calm but carrying an edge of authority. “I need a detailed report on the current state of the barony. I want to know about our resources, the condition of the fortifications, and any other relevant information you think I should be aware of.”
Butler Yu nodded, his expression shifting to one of earnest attentiveness. “Of course, my Lord. I will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the barony. It will take a little time to gather all the necessary information, but I assure you it will be thorough.”
Aengus raised an eyebrow, noting the butler’s eagerness. “Good. I expect nothing less. In addition to that, I need you to prepare a list of potential allies and informants in the surrounding territories. We need to establish a network of intelligence and support if we’re to secure our position and expand our influence.”
“Understood, my Lord,” Yu responded, his voice steady and respectful. “I will begin immediately. Is there anything else you require at this moment?”
Aengus paused, considering the question. “Yes, actually. I want you to begin assessing the capabilities and loyalty of our current staff and combatants. I need to know who can be trusted and who might need… adjustment.”
Yu’s eyes flickered slightly, but he maintained his composure. “I will handle it with the utmost care, my Lord. I will ensure that all assessments are conducted discreetly.”
“Excellent,” Aengus said with a nod. “I trust you will carry out these tasks efficiently. Your dedication will be rewarded in due time.”
As Butler Yu bowed and began to leave, Aengus watched him go, his mind already racing with plans and strategies.
He knew that to achieve his goals, he would need to control every aspect of his new territory, from its resources to its people.
—-
After a while, Butler Yu returned with a stack of documents and a map of the Lust Dukedom, along with comprehensive data on the hostile parties near Dark Valley.
“My lord, this is all we have in our archives,” Yu said, presenting the materials with a hint of apology. “I regret that I couldn’t bring the entire map of Demon Land. The Demon Land is so vast and ever-changing that it’s nearly impossible to map it accurately.
Even the Demon Lords’ single move can cause the very ground to shift, altering the landscape.” he said as he placed the documents on the table.
“Oh,” Aengus responded with a nod, taking a closer look at the documents.
The documents revealed that there were nearly 5,000 demon households in this region, now under his rule. His territory spanned approximately 20 to 30 square kilometers and was encircled by hostile tribes from the black swamp and dark forest, who eyed them with a predatory interest.
Beyond the great wall of the Fortress to the west lay the Dark Forest, where Bella had ventured to fight alongside her personal army.
“Alright, I’ve reviewed everything. For now, let things remain as they are,” Aengus said, rising from his seat from the table.
He rose from the seat, and continued, “I’m going to visit the Black Swamp to assess who controls that area. You handle matters here, Butler Yu.”
Butler Yu hesitated, concern evident in his voice. “But, my lord, wouldn’t it be dangerous for you to go alone?”
Aengus remained steadfast. “No, I won’t venture too deep. I just want to gauge their strength. You focus on your duties here. Leave the rest to me. Soon, we will conquer all the nearby tribes and strengthen our army.”
Butler Yu sighed, realizing further persuasion would be futile. Despite Aengus’s seemingly boastful words, Yu couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope for a better future.
Nowadays resources had become increasingly scarce, and they often went hungry. The process of hunting demonic creatures was grueling and rarely yielded enough to fill their bellies.
He watched his new Lord’s figure with hope and a rare emotion called worry.
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